app update

Nokia (yes, the real Nokia, or what's left of it) is announcing an update to its still pre-beta Z Launcher homescreen replacement. Focusing on performance improvements under the hood, Z Launcher is taking a few steps closer to becoming a more serious contender in the Android launcher race.

As promised last week, Koush is pushing out an update to his AllCast system that has a few new interesting features in two. But instead of a simple Android update, this one's a double whammy as it includes the update to the Chrome extension that opens the door for more devices to mirror their screens to the browser.

In keeping up with the transformation of its basic apps into their “Material” design language, Google has now updated the look of its News and Weather app. The panel and card-type design now makes the app, which is built-in for some devices, look like Google Now. It also seems to be more competitive now with other news apps like Flipboard, News360 and even Google’s own Google Play Newsstand.

Google has finally rolled out a feature that was rumored to be in the works for a few weeks now. Starting with version 3.6 of the Google Search app, you will be able to select and speak in multiple languages and it will give you just the right answer in the right language, no sweat at all.

Revolutionary virtual keyboard Minuum has released the latest version of its app. Version 2.11 now has an adjustable floating mode to make it easier for users to use the keyboards on their smartphone or tablet. They will also be releasing several quick tip tutorial videos to guide users who cannot intuitively adjust to Minuum’s style of virtual keyboards, which aims to change how we use them on mobile gadgets that are obviously smaller than our desktops.

Pushbullet is a messaging app that has been around for a while that allows you to get notifications of phone calls or text messages right on your computer screen so you don’t have to go and get your phone if it is in another room or charging. The app has been updated with some cool new features for the Android platform to version 14.7.

It may not yet be as popular or accepted as PayPal, but online bank Simple has had a steady and growing customer base, which led them to redesigning from the ground up their mobile app to serve their users better. They have started rolling out Simple 2.0 which brings to your smartphone some features that were web-based only, as well as a new look and feel for the banking app.

Did you ever wish that your note-taking app on your smartphone or tablet should act like a real-life notebook? If you’re the type who’d like to bridge the digital with how actual journals and notes are like, then chances are you’d like something to that effect. While other apps like Evernote and S-Note (for Samsung) have had that feature for some time now, Microsoft’s OneNote has finally caught up with them in their latest update, which features handwriting support and a redesigned user interface for tablets.

The Xbox One SmartGlass app beta version has received a major update to make your television, Xbox and your gadgets all the more interactive. While some of the new features will be rolling out first in regions where the upcoming Xbox TV tuner will first come out, it still is exciting to anticipate all these new functionalities when it eventually arrives for all other regions.

With all the Humble Mobile Bundle campaigns past, present, and future, you'd think that the Humble Bundle Android app would be in better shape. Though that was not exactly the case, the latest update to the app pretty much pulls Humble Bundle's Android presence forward to the current decade, shedding off the Beta moniker and falling in line with other Android apps.